Steeleye Span — Now We Are Six Again [2CDs] (2012)

 

Steeleye Span — Now We Are Six Again [2CDs]
◊  For Steeleye's Spring 2011 tour, the first half set consisted of them playing the album in its entirety, some 37 years after it was first released.
◊  Now We Are Six is an album by the electric folk band Steeleye Span. Its title (borrowed from Winnie-the-Pooh author A.A. Milne's collection of poems for children) refers to both its sequence among their albums, and the band's size, in light of the addition of drummer Nigel Pegrum. It reached number 13 in the UK albums chart.
◊  Although two session drummers were used on the debut album, there was a conscious decision to add a full-time drummer to further bolster the band's rock-oriented sound. It has been suggested that the sound of the band on this album is that of a rock band turning towards folk, and not the other way around. Pegrum also contributed flute and oboe parts.
Location: England
Album release: March 6, 2012
Record Label: Park UK
Duration:    42:38 + 51:16 => 93:54
CD1:
01. Seven Hundred Elves     (4:59)
02. Drink Down The Moon - Cuckoos Nest     (6:21)
03. Now We Are Six     (2:21)
04. Thomas The Rhymer     (6:28)
05. The Mooncoin Jig (Instrumental)     (3:05)
06. Edwin     (4:37)
07. Long-A-Growing     (4:10)
08. Two Magicians     (4:02)
09. Twinkle Little Star     (3:42)
10. To Know Him Is To Love Him     (2:53)
CD2:
01. Just As The Tide     (4:18)
02. Let Her Go Down     (4:42)
03. Edward     (6:23)
04. Two Constant Lovers     (5:54)
05. Prince Charlie Stuart     (5:59)
06. Cam Ye O er Frae France     (4:54)
07. Creeping Jane     (3:40)
08. Cold Haily, Windy Night     (4:18)
09. Bonny Black Hare     (4:50)
10. All Around My Hat     (4:11)
11. Gaudete     (2:07)
Current members:
◊  Maddy Prior – vocals (1969-1978, 1980-1997, 2002-present)
◊  Peter Knight – strings, keyboards, guitars, vocals (1971-1977, 1980–present)
◊  Rick Kemp – bass, drums, vocals (1972-1978, 1980-1986, 1995, 2000-present)
◊  Liam Genockey – drums, percussion (1989-1997, 2002–present)
◊  Pete Zorn – guitars (2009–present)
◊  Julian Litman – guitars (2010–present)
CREDITS:
◊  John Dagnell  Coordination 
◊  Liam Genockey  Drums, Group Member, Percussion 
◊  David Goodwin  Engineer 
◊  Rick Kemp  Bass, Group Member, Vocals 
◊  Peter Knight  Group Member, Keyboards, Violin, Vocals 
◊  Julian Littman  Group Member, Guitar (Electric), Vocals 
◊  Gwen Morgan  Design, Layout 
◊  Maddy Prior  Group Member, Vocals 
◊  Bob Prowse  Engineer, Mastering, Mixing  
◊  Peter Zorn  Group Member, Guitar (Acoustic), Mandolin, Saxophone, Vocals
Notes:
Thomas the Rhymer:
◊  Two versions of "Thomas the Rhymer" were recorded. The song, also known as "True Thomas", was released as a single running 3:14, and as a longer LP version running 6:44. This version, which alternates loud and soft sections, was released on the original version of the Chrysalis UK LP Now We Are Six. When the album was issued in the United States, however, it included the short version, apparently on the assumption that the shorter version would be more radio-friendly and more appealing to American audiences. Most reissues of this album contain the short version of "Thomas the Rhymer" with the exception of the BGO CD reissue. Present--The Very Best of Steeleye Span, which was composed of new versions of the band's older material, includes a longer version of the song, running 6:38.
Editorial Reviews
◊  (2-CD set) With a career that has brought us an incredible twenty-one studio albums, British folk legends Steeleye Span's history includes a number of records that stand out as landmarks. 1974's Now We Are Six was one such moment, an album that saw the band expand both their line up to a six piece and with it their sound to explore even further their own unique blend of rock and folk music. A critical and commercial success, the record provided a home to a number of songs that are now thought of as classics. Thirty-seven years later and Steeleye Span find themselves at another milestone. Having established the longest serving lineup of their career, they underwent another change of personnel and reemerged as a six piece for the first time in many years. There could be no better time to go back to that iconic record, performing it in its entirety alongside a selection of classics, rarities and favorites from other albums. The result was pure Steeleye magic, captured for posterity here.
In french:
◊  Un double album live de la formation folk rock anglaise apparue a la meme période que Fairport Convention mais bien sur moins connue (et avec moins de stars!) et qui a suivi un chemin assez parallele. Le groupe s'est sans cesse reconstitué et possede un noyau dur de fideles. La premiere édition de ce double album date de l'an dernier.
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Now We Are Six (origin):
Released: March 1974
Recorded: December 1973-January 1974, Morgan Studios, London
Genre: Electric folk, Progressive folk
Length:     42:35
Label: Chrysalis
Producer: Ian Anderson
Personnel:
◊  Maddy Prior — vocals
◊  Tim Hart — vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric dulcimer, banjo
◊  Peter Knight — vocals, violin, mandolin, tenor banjo, acoustic guitar, piano
◊  Bob Johnson — vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, synthesizer
◊  Rick Kemp — vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar
◊  Nigel Pegrum — drums, tambourine, oboe, recorder, flute, synthesizer
Guest musician:
◊  David Bowie — alto sax on To Know Him Is To Love Him
Track listing:
◊  (Order varies a lot between different album editions):
01. "Seven Hundred Elves"
02. "Edwin" (Traditional) (Roud Folk Song Index #182)
03. "Drink Down the Moon" (Traditional) (first half is Roud Folk Song Index #290, second half is #1506 and #5407)
04. "Now We Are Six" (Traditional) (Roud Folk Song Index #20174)
05. "Thomas the Rhymer" (Traditional) (Roud Folk Song Index #219, Child Ballads #37)
06. "The Mooncoin Jig" (Traditional)
07. "Long-a-Growing" (Traditional) (Roud Folk Song Index #31)
08. "Two Magicians" (Traditional) (Roud Folk Song Index #1350, Child Ballad #44)
09. "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (Traditional)
10. "To Know Him Is To Love Him" (Phil Spector)
Shanachie CD release order:
01. "Thomas the Rhymer" (short version)
02. "Drink Down The Moon"
03. "Two Magicians"
04. "Now We Are Six"
05. "Seven Hundred Elves"
06. "Long A Growing"
07. "The Mooncoin Jig"
08. "Edwin"
09. "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
10. "To Know Him Is To Love Him"
Australian 1974 order:
A side:
01. "Thomas the Rhymer" (short version)
02. "Two Magicians"
03. "Edwin"
04. "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
05. "700 Elves"
B side:
01. "The Mooncoin Jig"
02. "Drink Down The Moon"
03. "Now We Are Six" (listed as 4th on album sleeve, but actually 3rd when the record is played)
04. "Long-A-Growing" (listed as 3rd on album sleeve, but actually 4th when the record is played)
05. "To Know Him Is To Love Him"
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Studio albums:
• Hark! The Village Wait (1970)
• Please to See the King (1971) — UK #45
• Ten Man Mop, or Mr. Reservoir Butler Rides Again (1971)
• Below the Salt (1972) — UK #43
• Parcel of Rogues (1973) — UK #26
• Now We Are Six (1974) — UK #13
• Commoners Crown (1975) — UK #21
• All Around My Hat (1975) — UK #7; US #143
• Rocket Cottage (1976) — UK #41
• Storm Force Ten (1977) — US #191
• Sails of Silver (1980)
• Back in Line (1986)
• Tempted and Tried (1989)
• Time (1996)
• Horkstow Grange (1998)
• Bedlam Born (2000)
• Present--The Very Best of Steeleye Span (2002)
• They Called Her Babylon (2004)
• Winter (2004)
• Bloody Men (2006)
• Cogs, Wheels and Lovers (2009)
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MADDY PRIOR
Born: 14 August 1947
Origin: Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Website: www.maddyprior.co.uk
◊  Born in Blackpool, Prior moved in her teens to St Albans, where she befriended the young Donovan Leitch and Mac MacLeod in The Cock pub. She later formed a duo with MacLeod called 'Mac & Maddy'. She became a roadie for visiting American musicians, including Reverend Gary Davis. They gave her useful advice about singing British folk songs instead of American songs.
Maddy's father:
◊  Maddy's father, Allan Prior, was co-creator of the police drama Z-Cars, and wrote Stookie, a 6-part series for television, about a boy with his arm in a sling. Maddy sang the title song, which was released as a single in 1985. It reappeared on the Steeleye Span album A Rare Collection 1972 – 1996.
Singing career:
◊  After a brief stint with Mac MacLeod in 'Mac & Maddy' (another act formed at The Cock Pub), by 1966 she began performing with Tim Hart, another St Albans resident, and together they recorded two albums before becoming founding members of Steeleye Span in 1969. They were the backbone of the group until the early 1980s when ill-health forced Hart into semi-retirement. ◊  Apart from the tambourine and spoons, Prior doesn't play an instrument, but she always gives a sprightly performance of her individual dances. In 1974 Ralph McTell wrote "Maddy Dances" in her honour, included on his album Easy.
◊  Prior married bassist Rick Kemp, though they have since divorced. The singer Rose Kemp is their daughter.
◊  Prior has recorded session work, albums of her own songs and eclectic styles from medieval (with The Carnival Band), through electric folk — Steeleye Span and Maddie Prior appeared on television with a regular programme Electric Folk — prog-rock and traditional songs, including session work on Mike Oldfield's Incantations. She left Steeleye Span in 1997 but returned in 2002. ◊  The 1999 album The Journey was recorded in 1995, when Maddy was still in the band but not released until four years later. She was also one half of the duo Silly Sisters, which helped to boost June Tabor's career.
◊  Since 2003, Prior has run and hosted an Arts Centre called Stones Barn in Cumbria. Working with fellow singers and performers like Abbie Lathe and daughter Rose Kemp, Maddy has offered residential courses focusing on singing, meditation, cookery and performance. Other events, hosted by other teachers, include classical Indian dances, painting and drumming. Maddy campaigns on behalf of the charity Cancer Research UK.
PETER KNIGHT:
◊  Peter Knight (born 27 May 1947) is a folk musician, member of the electric folk group Steeleye Span.
◊  Peter Knight was born in London. As a child he learned the violin and mandolin before going to the Royal Academy of Music from 1960 to 1964. The recordings of the Irish fiddler Michael Coleman inspired him to take part in Irish pub sessions. He teamed up with guitarist and singer Bob Johnson until 1970 when he joined Steeleye Span. The parting was short-lived, as Bob Johnson himself also joined Steeleye Span in 1972.
RICK KEMP:
◊  Rick Kemp (born 15 November 1941 in Little Hanford, Dorset) is an English bass player, songwriter, vocalist and record producer, best known for his work with the pioneering electric folk band, Steeleye Span.
Musical style:
◊  Kemp's fearless, melodic bass playing is admired greatly among bassists who know of his work. He is unafraid to step outside the folk rock genre to incorporate slap techniques and the use of a fretless bass in his work.
◊  Although Kemp usually plays a standard four string instrument, his playing frequently utilises the uppermost range of the instrument, stylistically similar to players of extended range basses. ◊  He currently plays instruments produced by Overwater.
◊  His musical arrangements often feature busy basslines, and 'big' riffs, often with the bass doubling the lead guitar line in places. Another hallmark is the use of irregular length phrases within a conventional time signature, resulting in strong downbeats in unexpected places for musical effect.
◊  Kemp is a keen hobbyist historian, and much of his songwriting for Steeleye Span is inspired by historical events. Examples include the song "Take My Heart" about the death of Robert the Bruce, and the song cycle about the Luddite movement that he contributed to the 2006 album Bloody Men. In recent years his lyrics have also included strong Pagan influences.
◊  On his solo albums, his lyrics are often philosophical, dealing with the subtleties and frailties of human existence and humankind's search for meaning.
LIAM GENOCKEY:
◊  Liam Genockey (born 12 August 1948 in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish drummer. Genockey was born in Dublin, Ireland. During the 1960s he lived in Plymouth, Devon, U.K, playing in local semi-pro groups, then in the early 70's playing with Torbay based rock band Adolphus Rebirth. ◊  He was one of the founding members of the early-70s jazz-fusion and afro prog band ZZebra, later moving on with fellow band-member John McCoy to join Gillan.
◊  He then participated in Amalgam, formed in 1976 by Trevor Watts. Watts' work covers the spectrum of free jazz, electronic, jazz-rock, space jazz and folk-rock. Watts later founded 10-piece Moiré Music Ensemble which included Liam again, plus Peter Knight, an early member of Steeleye Span.
◊  He joined Steeleye Span in 1989 and recorded two studio albums Tempted and Tried and Time, with them, as well as two live albums Tonight's the Night...Live and The Collection in Concert. However, between 1997 and 2001 he was not in the band. He returned in 2001 to record Present--The Very Best of Steeleye Span, and has remained with the band since, though he also remains Paul Brady's drummer for both live and studio performances.
◊  In January 2003, he was involved in the BBC Four broadcast of Free Will and Testament, a programme featuring performance footage of Robert Wyatt.
◊  Liam is easily identified by his long, plaited beard. He currently lives in Hastings.
PETE ZORN:
◊  Pete Zorn (born 29 May 1950 in Somerset, Pennsylvania) is an American multi-instrumentalist who plays roots music. He is best known as a longstanding member of Richard Thompson's touring band, where he serves as backing vocalist and plays acoustic guitar, mandolin, saxophone, flute, and tin whistle.
◊  Although he frequently tours with Thompson, Zorn has also played with many other singers and groups including Arizona Smoke Revue formed by older brother Bill Zorn, Show of Hands, the Phil Beer Band, Elaine Paige, Thomas Anders, Gerry Rafferty, Barbara Dickson and his band WAZ which currently features folk legend Steve Tilston.
◊  He also appeared in the UK Top 10 in 1979 as part of Driver 67 with his brother in law, Paul Phillips on the single, "Car 67". He and Phillips met when Zorn came to London with Fishbaugh, Fishbaugh and Zorn, a three-piece folk rock band signed to CBS Records in London. Because of his talent on so many instruments and a remarkable vocal range, Zorn became a staple of many sessions produced by Phillips in the early and mid-Seventies. After the hit with Car 67, they made an album called Hey Mister Record Man, under the name Tax Loss. Bill and Conrad Zorn also played.
◊  In 2009 Zorn joined Steeleye Span on the Spring section of the band's 40th anniversary tour, replacing Rick Kemp who was absent for health reasons. He also replaced Kemp on the American and Australian legs of the tour. Kemp initially returned for the Winter leg of the tour, but Zorn re-joined the fold due to various strains on the band. He will tour with Steeleye Span for their Spring tour in 2011.
Link: http://www.richardthompson-music.com/catch_of_the_day.asp?id=149
For more details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maddy_Prior
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Steeleye Span — Now We Are Six Again [2CDs] (2012)

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